Kokusaidori Yataimura
Yataimura (food stall village) was established in 2015 on Kokusai Dori, and you won't want to miss it during your visit to Okinawa. It is a popular spot where restaurants serving Okinawan cuisine and creative dishes made with local ingredients gather and bustle both day and night.
Every time I visit Kokusai Dori, I always check out the Yataimura in the alley. I love seeing what unique food stalls are a must-try. It's so much fun eating and drinking here. Highly recommend!
Sapporo Nijo Fish Market
"Sapporo Nijo Fish Market" is said to have been established in the early Meiji period (1868-1912) when fishermen from Ishikari Beach started selling fresh fish. Today, the market is home to not only fresh fish stores but also fruit and vegetable stores, taverns, etc., and is loved not only by tourists but also by locals as the kitchen of Sapporo citizens.
Nijo Market is basically Sapporo's seafood kitchen! Locals come here all the time to buy fresh fish. It's a real part of everyday life in Sapporo.
Tsukiji Outer Market
Over 400 food shops and restaurants gather speciality shops. Suppliers, general shoppers for daily food, and tourists searching for specialty food always crowd even though after a change of the location of the central wholesale market from Tsukiji to Toyosu in October, 2018.
I really love Sushi Kiyomura at Tsukiji Market. They have a great variety of sushi, and the cheapest single piece is just 150 yen. Tastes pretty good too!
Suzuka Circuit
The Suzuka Circuit holds the F1 Japan Grand Prix, Suzuka 8 Hours, and other races. Other than race courses, there are amusement parks, hotels, restaurants, making it a full fledged theme park.
Suzuka Circuit is one of the oldest tracks in F1 history! I'm super excited for the F1 race this September.
Kirishima-Onsen Hot Spring Village
Kirishima-Onsen Hot Spring Village is a generic name for hot springs located in the southwestern part of the Kirishima mountain range at elevations between 600m and 850m above sea level. Each hot spring offers different qualities and benefits.
I love coming to Kirishima Onsen Village for a soak, and enjoying hot spring eggs and corn. It feels so blissful!
Shuri Kinjo-cho Stone Paved Path
The “Shuri Kinjo-cho Stone Paved Path” was paved in the 16th Century during the Ryukyu Kingdom age, as part of the Pearl Road, which connects Shuri Castle with various districts. The Shuri Kinjo Stone Slope is located 500m away from Shuri Castle in a quaint neighborhood.
The stone walls along both sides of the Shuri Kinjo-cho Stone Paved Path are still there, telling the story of the old capital's streets.
Milk Road
The Aso caldera is a vast crater and somma volcano with a circumference of approximately 128 km around its perimeter. Across its northwestern outer ridgeline you’ll find a 45km stretch of scenic highway nicknamed “Milk Road”, found across the Prefectural Road 339 and Highway 45.
Milk Road is such a beautiful drive! You get to enjoy views of the Aso Five Peaks and even catch some sea of clouds along the way. It's a great way to really experience the natural beauty of Aso. Highly recommended!
Mt. Akagi, Akagi Shrine
As a poem “Long foot of Mt. Akagi” describes Mt. Akagi spreads long and wide after Mt. Fuji. The caldera of the main mountain Kurobi (1828m) is surrounded by multiple mountains, which are called Mt. Akagi altogether. It has been revered since ancient times and there are many Akagi Shrines at the foot of the mountain. The north dry wind which is particular in the Kanto Region is called Akagi Oroshi (The wind down from Mt. Akagi).
I've heard from friends that if you make a wish to the deity here for a baby girl, it really works—you'll have a beautiful daughter! Pretty amazing!
Ikegami Baien (Plum Garden)
Close to the Ikegami Honmonji Temple in Ota District, Ikegami Plum Garden is known for the District flower, plums. The garden spreads on a hill with over 30 species of plum trees. Red and white fragrant blossoms will let you know when spring arrives.
I love visiting Ikegami Plum Garden between February and March. The red and white plum blossoms are in full bloom, and there's a gentle, sweet fragrance in the air. It's such a lovely spot for spring!